Rokita Distributes Voting Equipment Funds to Warren County

Indianapolis, IN - Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita today distributed election reform money to Warren County. This was part of the latest round of funding Rokita's office is giving to counties from the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002.

Warren County received $152,573 in federal and state money which was distributed by the Secretary of State's office. This latest round of reimbursements brings to $29.9 million the total distributed under HAVA to Indiana counties since Rokita's office began distributing funds to help pay for voting equipment upgrades resulting from the required phase-out of lever and punch card voting machines.

Rokita personally met with Warren County Clerk Jackie Brier to reimburse the county for the new Fidlar Accuvote Voting System machines that will be accessible to all of Warren County's approximately 6,500 voters in all 13 election precincts beginning with the 2006 May Primary Election. Warren County will switch from punch card ballots.

"It's been a long road to get to this point," said Brier. "Secretary Rokita's office has been extremely helpful throughout this process, and we couldn't be more thankful for their help. We think our selection of voting machines was a good one because we feel the Accuvote machines are easy and user friendly."

"It is great to see federal and state money being put to good use to help ensure fair and efficient elections for Hoosiers," Rokita said. "Warren County can now focus on other election matters."

Congress passed HAVA in response to issues in various parts of the country during the 2000 Presidential Election. HAVA requires states and counties to replace all punch card and lever machine voting systems by January 1, 2006. A number of Indiana counties will be eligible for additional funding in the coming months.